Cyprus and Israel signed the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme between the National Guard and the Armed Forces (DF) of Israel on Wednesday in Tel Aviv, as well as the corresponding Tripartite Programme with the participation of the Greek Defence Forces for the year 2023. The bilateral cooperation programme includes a significant number of actions carried out in both countries while the trilateral programme shows that the role of the three countries as factors of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond is strengthened. A Ministry of Defence press release said the signing ceremony was preceded by extended talks between the country’s delegations, during which a review of bilateral and then trilateral cooperation so far, was carried out. It said “the talks confirmed the significant progress achieved in existing areas of cooperation, while a preliminary discussion was held regarding additional areas of common interest, which will be included in future programmes.” In addition, there was an exchange of views and assessments regarding the challenges related to security in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, but also more generally on the security climate that is taking shape internationally, due to geopolitical developments. The Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme includes a significant number of actions, which will be carried out both in Cyprus and Israel, with which the bilateral military cooperation is further strengthened, the statement said. At the same time, it is a confirmation of the constant upgrading of the multifaceted cooperation between the armed forces of both countries, especially in the year 2022, when the large-scale interdisciplinary exercise ‘AGAPINOR’ and the air defense exercise ‘IASON’ took place. In addition, with the signing of the Tripartite Defence Cooperation Programme, the already close military cooperation between the Cyprus – Greece – Israel Defence Forces is further deepened and the role of the three countries as factors of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond is strengthened, it is noted. The above programmes are part of the wide network of bilateral and multilateral actions developed by the National Guard, with the direction of the Ministry of Defence and provide for joint exercises, training and exchange of expertise on specialized issues. At the same time, they express the ongoing commitment and will of Cyprus, Greece and Israel to upgrade and strengthen cooperation and ties between their armed forces, as it has been acknowledged that addressing common challenges and promoting security and stability requires multilateral and multifaceted action between countries which share the same ideals and principles, which are based in International Law, the announcement concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency